| Contents |
Minstrelsy from the Saxon period to the reign of Edward I -- Music of the Middle Ages, and Music in England to the end of the thirteenth century -- English minstrelsy from 1270 to 1480, and the gradual extinction of the old minstrels -- Introduction to the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Queen Mary -- Songs and ballads of ditto -- Introduction to the reign of Queen Elizabeth -- Songs and ballads of ditto -- Introduction to the reign of James I -- Songs and ballads of the reigns of James I and Charles I. |
| Abstract |
"The first attempt to prepare a comprehensive, systematic anthology of English secular ballads, songs, and dance tunes was the "Collection of National English Airs" (1838-40) by William Chappell, music publisher and historian. After this book had been issued, Chappell gained access to further sourcebooks and documents and decided to expand his previous work. The result was "Popular Music of the Olden Time," published in two volumes in 1859; it has remained the standard work ever since." --Publisher's description. |
